Japan captain Michael Leitch said Sunday's historic win over Scotland at the Rugby World Cup was the Brave Blossoms' way of helping the nation in the aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis and thanking those that helped put the game on.
"Before the match started, at the team hotel, the players already knew how this game was more than just us, that a lot of people suffered in the typhoon," he said following the 28-21 win in Yokohama that sees Japan make the quarterfinals for the first time.
"A lot of people did a lot of hard work to make this game happen. There were guys up late last night with sponges. We are grateful for the opportunity to inspire Japan and we showed that for 80 minutes tonight."
Man-of-the-match Kenki Fukuoka also praised those that had helped put the game on.
"A lot of people made efforts to realize this match today,†he said. "I first of all want to thank them and to repay them I was determined to produce a result that would be an empowerment to the Japanese people."
(Japan players observe a moment of silence ahead of a Rugby World Cup Pool A match against Scotland in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Oct. 13, 2019, in memory of the victims of Typhoon Hagibis that ripped through wide areas of Japan the previous day.)
Sunday's game at International Stadium Yokohama (Nissan Stadium) only got the go-ahead at 10:30 a.m. following a detailed inspection and discussions with local authorities. Typhoon Hagibis left at least 35 dead and nearly 20 others missing.
